Results 181-200 of 3,336 for speaker:Kate O'Connell

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medical Use: Discussion (7 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: I think it was the Chairman who questioned whether the State is to indemnify consultants. I am concerned at the direction we are taking on this issue. Consultants have a level of competence and experience that has been developed over many years in a particular area, which is exactly what Dr. Devlin has said. Where are we going if we circumvent the clear advice and research of the Health...

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: I hope I will not be still speaking at 10.15 p.m. Some of what I have written down mirrors what my good colleague, Deputy Michael Harty, said. I am coming at this issue from the perspective of a health professional. Fundamentally, a society is judged by how it treats its weakest and most vulnerable citizens. My experience tells me that substance abusers are just that - vulnerable, weak...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Implcations for Health Sector of United Kingdom's Withdrawal from the EU: Discussion (8 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: Could Mr. Goodman repeat the figures? Is 700 the total?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Implcations for Health Sector of United Kingdom's Withdrawal from the EU: Discussion (8 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: Is it a limited number of countries that people use?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Implcations for Health Sector of United Kingdom's Withdrawal from the EU: Discussion (8 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: It is not like there are 1,000 countries. It seems bizarre that Mr. Goodman would not know that patient X went to Poland and that such data are not available. Perhaps I am overreacting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Implcations for Health Sector of United Kingdom's Withdrawal from the EU: Discussion (8 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: When will we get this?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Implcations for Health Sector of United Kingdom's Withdrawal from the EU: Discussion (8 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: Will it be soon?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Implcations for Health Sector of United Kingdom's Withdrawal from the EU: Discussion (8 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: There is generally an Irish arm of many multinational medication and drug manufacturers but MSD and Pfizer are based in the UK and we bring products here from these sources. Has the Department done any work on the implications for these products, particularly in the area of timelines? We now have same-day, or 24-hour, deliveries of drugs from the UK. Will there be increase in these...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Implcations for Health Sector of United Kingdom's Withdrawal from the EU: Discussion (8 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: This is the Joint Committee on Health - I am not trying to be smart. I imagine most people would agree that Ireland is disproportionately affected and would have a higher percentage of undergraduates and postgraduates in the UK. The argument is constantly being made that we cannot do anything until we know exactly what is going to happen but there are not too many permutations. One is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Implcations for Health Sector of United Kingdom's Withdrawal from the EU: Discussion (8 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: In the past I took on a student from China. The process is hugely onerous and while the language barrier is one problem, there are other issues involved. This girl was highly qualified and to my mind was fully suitable to do the job. I did the process and it is a completely different ball game getting one's certificate from the pharmacy society in the United Kingdom, coming here,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Implcations for Health Sector of United Kingdom's Withdrawal from the EU: Discussion (8 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: I am a great one for finding a silver lining. We are an English-speaking country. Is there a positive there? Have the witnesses seen any evidence of positives where we might become a destination for research because we will be within the EU and, therefore, EU funding will probably be channelled here more than to the UK so our universities and standards could benefit? In the long run, we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Women's Reproductive Health: Discussion (8 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: I thank the delegates very much for taking the time to come and see us. I have read a little about Professor Pras recently. I would like him to elaborate on the issue of access to free, safe and legal abortion. His statement refers to access to abortion "at the very least in cases of risk to their life or health, including mental health, rape, incest and fatal impairment of the foetus...

Select Committee on Health: Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (8 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: No.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Quarterly Progress Report Strategy for Rented Sector: Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (9 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: I thank the Chairman for allowing me to ask a few questions. We can all point to vacant homes and apartments that have the potential to be used for social housing. What are we doing about this? I have read Rebuilding Ireland. Are we tapping into the potential in this area? Could Mr. McCarthy outline the key measures being put in place to support overall housing supply and activity? What...

Select Committee on the Future of Healthcare: Health Service Reform: Minister for Health (22 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: I thank the Minister for coming in this morning and for his very comprehensive statement. He mentioned the activity-based funding model. To reverse out of that, nobody is unaware that I fundamentally believe that one cannot quantify activity without geographical alignment of community health organisations and groups. Borders need to be found. I am putting on record for probably the 20th...

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: I do not want to start a big row. I have the height of respect for any Member who has been here since 1981 and gets legislation far better than I probably ever will. I understand some Members’ concerns about the turning of a blind eye to the sale of illegal drugs. As I said on Second Stage, the legal classification of a drug does not change its side effect profile. It does not...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Brexit Issues (28 Mar 2017)

Kate O'Connell: 586. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the specific actions that have been undertaken by any and all LEOs to assist local enterprises cope with the impact of Brexit, in tabular form. [15125/17]

Topical Issue Debate: Vaccination Programme (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: I consider this a very important issue in light of the World Health Organization's warning last week about the drop in MMR vaccination rates across Europe and large outbreaks of measles happening across the Continent. The greatest numbers are being seen in Italy and Romania. In light of Brexit, it is important to point out that viruses are not in any way aware of borders. It is important...

Topical Issue Debate: Vaccination Programme (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: The Minister of State's reply was reassuring, although I am concerned that the vaccination rate stands at 92%. We will be in serious trouble if it falls much further. Andrew Wakefield, a discredited doctor, is taking part in a roadshow that will soon visit this country. It is important that a message is sent to parents that the study carried out by this individual was completely...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016: Discussion (5 Apr 2017)

Kate O'Connell: I could spend hours discussing this today. My major problem with this is the word "medicinal" in the sense that it is a different argument to decriminalisation or rescheduling of drugs. I want to disclose at the outset that I am a community pharmacist and am registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and, as such, have ethical responsibilities in that regard. I will try to be...